By Pareli Amirkhanian

Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) is spending more money than they are receiving.
According to Cheryl Plotkin, Interim Chief Business and Financial Officer of GUSD, officials noted that from July 1 to June 30, known as a “fiscal year,” GUSD will be spending $10.2 million that they do not have.
A negative fund balance of $12.8 million is estimated in three fiscal years if GUSD continues the current spending of money.
This is on top of the $34.8 million debt the district is already in.
“It is very important for our district to have sufficient funding to provide programs that support our students,” Plotkin said.
Currently, the District is putting together a solvency plan with participation from various stakeholders, including board members, district and school leadership, teachers, and members of the community.
Superintendent Winfred Roberson believes planning for and monitoring GUSD’s fiscal health is “an essential part of our ability to continue providing students and families excellent academic and co-curricular programs.”
According to Roberson, some revenue increasing strategies identified by the administration are developing online professional options for teachers and staff to reduce the need for substitute teachers, reducing the utilization of outside experts when practical, and examining ways to improve attendance of chronically absent students.
The GUSD administration is meeting with stakeholders to receive feedback on solvency options in regard to current and projected budget concerns.
Nareh Andriyacyan (’17) believes GUSD should stop unnecessary spending, and instead improve equipment and services of school athletes.
“The physical therapy room is usually very crowded, and sometimes without the proper care,” she said.
Social science teacher Anthony Peterson hopes that the budget problems don’t end up falling on the teachers.
“The idea that teachers could get laid off due to the budget deficit is terrifying,” he said.
A final solvency plan will be presented to the Board of Education for approval and adoption in June.